Ashley Cole’s 100th appearance for England comes at a time when he faces
“greater competition than he has ever had”, according to Roy Hodgson.
However, the left back maintains that he will not retire from international
football if he loses his place to Leighton Baines.

Hodgson said that Cole will start the match against Brazil, when he becomes
the seventh player to win 100 caps for England, but he also cited the threat
posed to the Chelsea full back’s tenure by Baines.

The England manager said that the Everton defender has “matured enormously as
an international player” and has given